The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced on Friday, December 11, its commitment to support the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), or the Paris agreement adopted during COP 21.

“There is no time to lose in responding to the climate emergency, and this cannot be done without everyone's action, in a spirit of solidarity and responsibility. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the UNFCCC's COP26 had to be postponed to November 2021, but this health crisis with multiple economic and social consequences must not undermine mobilization or delay action", encourages Sékou Sangaré, ECOWAS Commissioner for Agriculture, Environment and Water Resources.

As part of this new environmental world order, the sub-regional community does not miss the opportunity to acclaim the joint initiative of United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and President Emmanuel Macron, with the objective of to succeed in the challenge of maintaining the increase in temperature, if possible at 1.5°C.

“ECOWAS reiterates the importance of collective action to support the effective implementation of the NDCs and the Paris Agreement, within the framework of a united and concerted approach, starting at the regional level. The ECOWAS Commission is therefore associated with this collective mobilization by supporting the efforts of its Member States within the framework of its mission and its competences”, affirms Jean Claude Brou, President of the Commission.